Haydenettes, Crystallettes excited by crowd reaction

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(04/10/2010) - The electrifying spirit of the crowd that gathered Friday night to cheer on Team USA in Colorado Springs for the short program offered both teams an extra boost of adrenaline in their performances.

"It was a total rush," said Haydenettes member Kimberly Angelakis after the short program. "I think we all got the energy from the crowd and put it into our skate."

The majority of the fans that attended the 2010 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships were rooting for the United States. The event was held in the World Arena, which holds approximately 8,000 seats, and fans filled a large number of them.

The Crystallettes, who skated first for Team USA and placed ninth in the short program, received an overwhelming response from the crowd as they entered the ice.

"We warned [the girls], but I was not prepared for that," coach Holly Teets said. "It was exhilarating...heartwarming."

This is the first time the United States has hosted the ISU World Synchronized Skating Competition since inaugural competition in 2000. Team USA 1, the Haydenettes, placed fifth at the 2000 competition, which was held in Minneapolis, Minn., and Team USA 2, Team Elan, finished eighth.

This year's Team USA members said they had an idea of the support they would get from the crowd, but Jenna Longo, captain of the Haydenettes, said their expectations were exceeded.

"Kim counted for the warm-up block, and I couldn't even hear her," she said in a press conference after the short program.

The crowd exploded as the Haydenettes finished the last element of their short program. The team skated flawlessly, earning them a second-place finish.

The Crystallettes also received a standing ovation after their strong short-program performance.

"We told [the team] that the place was going to be crazy, kind of like it was in Canada a couple of years ago. ... but I was not ready for that," Teets said. "It brought tears to my eyes before they even skated."

The number of attendees for the event is expected to increase for tonight's free skate, and both teams said they are excited to compete.